heartland chapter of women on wheels local motorcycle club

Dyno Tune your Motorcycle

Gateway Harley-Davidson in St. Louis, MO

Saint Louis Dyno Machine at Gateway Harley-Davidson

WHAT IS THIS "DYNO" I'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT? WHAT CAN IT DO? WHO CAN HAVE IT DONE? HOW CAN I GET MY BIKE "DYNO" TUNED? THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS GET ANSWERED!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Dyno Tuner?

Why should I get my bike Dyno-Tuned?

How can it increase my motorcycle's performance?

But I want the horse power!

How can it save me from costly repairs in the future?

What kinds of bikes can be Dyno-tuned?

Are there requirements my motorcycle must meet to be Dyno-tuned?

Who is authorized to run the Dyno-tuner?

What time of year can it be done? Are there temperature or weather restrictions?

How much does it cost?

How long does it take to Dyno-tune a motorcycle?

What are the different software options for Dyno-tuners?

Why does Gateway H-D use what we use?

What's this I hear about different types of tuning devices?

Why is adding additional hardware to the bike a disadvantage?

Other dealers advertise the use of Tuning Link. Does this have any advantages?

How should I choose a shop to tune my motorcycle?

I want to use a different tuning product than the one you recommend, will you still tune my bike?

Is there a difference between tuning a fuel-injected motorcycle and a carbureted motorcycle?

Is there a difference between tuning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a non Harley-Davidson motorcycle?

I own a BRAND X motorcycle and my servicing dealer does not tune motorcycles. Can you help me?

WHAT IS A DYNO TUNER?
A Dynamometer (commonly called a "Dyno") is a machine that measures engine output - horsepower, torque and fuel mixture. It can test under different engine loads and conditions. This helps us adjust fuel mixture and timing to ideal settings.

WHY SHOULD I GET MY BIKE DYNO-TUNED?
If you have performance work done you should have your engine tuned to get optimum performance without sacrificing drivability or fuel economy.

HOW CAN IT INCREASE MY MOTORCYCLE'S PERFORMANCE?
By using the best settings exactly matched to the equipment on your motorcycle, you will get the best possible performance. Note that "performance" includes not only the maximum power, but also good drivability, smooth running engine, and good fuel economy.

Super Tuner screenshot

BUT I WANT THE HORSEPOWER!
There is a lot more to tuning than just getting maximum horsepower. That's the easy part. A properly tuned bike should still get nearly as good fuel economy as stock. It should also have good drivability with no hesitation or "flat spots".

HOW CAN IT SAVE ME FROM COSTLY REPAIRS IN THE FUTURE?
A properly tuned engine does not have to work as hard as a poorly tuned engine to do the same job (i.e. normal riding such as cruising on the highway) resulting in less wear and tear.

WHAT KINDS OF BIKES CAN BE DYNO-TUNED?
All bikes can be tuned. We specialize in Harley-Davidson� and Buell�, but if you have a different brand and your dealer cannot tune your bike we can still help you. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to tune trikes or any bikes configured with more than 2 wheels.

More options

ARE THERE REQUIREMENTS MY MOTORCYCLE MUST MEET TO BE DYNO-TUNED?
Your bike should be in good condition before running on the dynamometer. If your tires, belt, etc. are in poor condition they may fail; after all we will be testing at maximum output.

WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO RUN THE DYNO-TUNER?
Only our specially trained mechanics are authorized to run the dynamometer. These mechanics have been trained in all of the software options.

WHAT TIME OF YEAR CAN IT BE DONE? ARE THERE TEMPERATURE OR WEATHER RESTRICTIONS?
Fuel-injected motorcycles can be tuned any time of the year and in any weather. Our state-of-the-art dynamometer has a special room all to itself. Carbureted motorcycles should only be tuned in moderate conditions. Extreme temperatures can affect the results.

An example of a "map"

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost is dependent on the time it would take to tune the motorcycle. Fuel-injected motorcycles typically take four hours. Carburetor motorcycles typically take two hours due to the fact that there are fewer adjustments that can be made on carburetor engines. Additional costs depend on the method that is used; price of adding a Race Tuner, Power Commander, etc.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DYNO-TUNE A MOTORCYCLE?
The time it takes depends on the motorcycle. Very radical engine builds may take longer than a mild engine. We do not charge more than four hours of service labor for normally aspirated fuel-injected (two hours of service labor for normal carbureted) Harley-Davidson� motorcycles. For brands other than Harley-Davidson�, we ask that you stop by or call and talk to one of our Service Specialists.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SOFTWARE OPTIONS FOR DYNO-TUNERS?
The dynamometer has its own software to control load, tuning options, etc and collect data. Each brand of Tuner (Race Tuner, Power Commander, etc.) has its own software.

Options not found in most tuning software

WHY DOES GATEWAY H-D USE WHAT WE USE?
For fuel-injected Harley-Davidson� motorcycles we prefer Screamin' Eagle� Super Tuner or Race Tuner. These are from Harley-Davidson�, provide more options and do not add more modules to the motorcycle.

VE Table
Actual air flow through the engine
(Not found in most tuning software)

WHAT'S THIS I HEAR ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF TUNING DEVICES?
There are three basic types of tuning devices for tuning fuel injected Harley-Davidson� motorcycles.

The first type is a "fueler", which plugs in between the wiring harness and the fuel injectors. It has a few switches or knobs and adds or subtracts fuel in a few areas. The capabilities of this type of tuner are very limited, allowing adjustments to fuel only and only in a few areas.
Advantages: Price
Disadvantages: Poor results and it adds extraneous hardware to the bike.

The second and probably most common type is a "piggyback" device that plus in between the wiring harness and the Engine Control Module (ECM). It intercepts and modifies signals between the engine and the ECM. This type has more capabilities than the first, allowing adjustment to both fuel and ignition tuning.
Advantages: Can adjust more parameters than the first type.
Disadvantages: Adds extraneous hardware to the bike.

The third type does not add any extra modules. It loads a new "map" into the existing ECM.
Advantages: Can adjust more parameters than the other types and no extra hardware is added to the bike.
Disadvantages: Initial purchase price.

This module...

Has to fit somewhere.

This is much better.

WHY IS ADDING EXTRA HARDWARE TO THE BIKE A DISADVANTAGE?
There is very limited space on a motorcycle to add any extra hardware. They often do not fit will which often causes stress on the electrical connectors resulting poor connections. Also, there is sometimes pressure on the extra module or hardware which may result in failure. Whereas actual ECM failures are extremely rare.

OTHER DEALERS ADVERTISE THE USE OF TUNING LINK. DOES THIS HAVE ANY ADVANTAGES?
Tuning Link only works with one brand of "piggyback" product. This is not the best solution. If it were, then every shop would be using it. Tuning Link is only beneficial if you are using the brand it works with. Tuning Link allows you to map the front and back cylinders separately and also map fuel curves in both "static" and "dynamic" states. "Smart Tune" on the Screamin' Eagle "Super Tuner" does all of the same things. There are also many other brands of tuning products that have similar functions.

The reason why Tuning Link is unnecessary.

HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE A SHOP TO TUNE MY MOTORCYCLE?
We suggest that you read the information we have provided on this site. We want you to be well informed. Ask questions to those who will be doing the tuning. Then make your decision.

I WANT TO USE A DIFFERENT TUNING PRODUCT THAN THE ONE YOU RECOMMEND, WILL YOU STILL TUNE MY BIKE?
Yes. Of course.

Timing based on engine load, not throttle position
The recommended way to tune.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUNING A FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES VERSES A CARBURETED MOTORCYCLE?
There are fewer adjustments that can be made to carbureted motorcycles.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUNING A HARLEY-DAVIDSON� MOTORCYCLE VERSES A NON-HARLEY-DAVIDSON� MOTORCYCLE?
We use the appropriate tuning products and software to tune different types of motorcycles. Please give us a call to get more information on tuning any and all types of motorcycles!

I OWN A BRAND X BIKE AND MY SERVICING DEALER DOES NOT TUNE MOTORCYCLES, CAN YOU HELP ME?
Yes, however, there may be additional costs involved. Contact us and we will be happy to discuss the details with you!

Dyno in action

Dyno in action.

So you have a motorcycle and you've made some customizations or you're thinking about it. If they are performance customizations such as new exhaust or motor enhancements, you'll need your motorcycle tuned. After your motorcycle is ready to ride, get yourself geared up for the roads ahead with the help of our Motorclothes specialists. As your local full service dealership in the St. Louis area we can Service and Repair your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Looking for something to do? Everyday is a great day at Gateway Harley-Davidson! Check out our Upcoming Events, Photos and Videos from past events, and the conversations of Facebook and Twitter.